In honor of our first year I want to share with you a bit more about the process of getting In Kind going, and how it all started. In July last year we had all the official paperwork completed to create In Kind, and get it registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Each step took a lot of patience, and thought. At the time we weren’t even sure what our gift boxes would look like, or what exactly would go in them. I just knew I wanted to give a gift to moms to help them during their fourth trimester.
My goal for gift boxes was for moms to feel loved and cared for. I wanted to give a gift that was high quality, substantial and lasting. We’ve all seen free gifts given with samples and coupons- I was looking for the opposite of that. Those gifts are very wasteful, and they don’t make a true impact on the family receiving them. I wanted our gift boxes to be filled with items that moms could use for the first months after baby’s arrival, if not longer. I also wanted to be proud of what I was giving- to be confident in saying that I would purchase and use those items myself.
I am so proud and thankful to say that we have achieved our goal. We are so grateful to Earth Mama Organics, Kindred Bravely, and Workman Publishing for their willingness to partner with us and support our mission to help mamas. They said Yes to us, when we had heard so many No’s. It’s tough being so new and small, and asking people for help. All I can say is perseverance is key. Just because someone says no to you, doesn’t mean you’re not worthy. It just means they’re not for you.
While we were trying to find products for our boxes, I was also trying to figure out how big the gift box itself would be. Not only that, but in order to have boxes made, we also needed a logo to put on the box. So many little things all had to come together- what felt like all at once. I am so thankful I had the support of the Board to bounce ideas off of. Being open to discussion and feedback about ideas can seem like a scary idea, but it has been an important part of how it all came together.
In July we were able to go back to Ronald MacDonald House and do a gift box donation. They had been closed due to COVID, and we’re so thankful they’ve been re-opened and are now accepting donation deliveries. They have two locations in Portland, and our boxes get divided between the two, so mamas at both places can receive gift boxes as needed. We’re so happy to be able to give mamas the gift of essentials, especially in situations when they’ve ended up at RMH unexpectedly- not having their delivery bag/diaper bag on hand.
This month we were very excited to receive a grant check in the mail from the City of Sherwood. We had applied for a grant through the Community Enhancement Program, which would help us to further support the Sherwood Family Resource (SHARE) Center over the coming year. We can’t wait to make a delivery to their new space in the Fall.
We also had some really fun giveaways including one with Kristina Kuzmic. She is someone I have been following for a long time. Her videos on motherhood always make me laugh, cry and everything in between. Kristina recently released a book, and was supposed to be on tour right now but COVID had other plans. She has since been hosting weekly giveaways on Instagram. We’re so thankful Kristina chose our gift box as one of the prizes to give away. That kind of exposure for us was amazing!! I’m always grateful to people who show us support in this way by sharing what we do. With more exposure, comes more support for In Kind, and means we can help more mamas!
Thank you for being here. We are so grateful for your support. Your donations, purchases, social media support (follows, likes, shares) matter. They all help us further our mission to help mamas. Even the smallest things mean so much! I couldn’t do what I do without you. I was telling Cheryl recently that I finally feel like I’ve found what I’m meant to do. In Kind is my fourth baby. Helping people is my passion. I can’t wait to see where this all goes. I’d like to be able to help every mama who needs it. Cross your fingers that one day we can!
~Maria
